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May Newsletter May has arrived, and that means the end of the school year is approaching. The children are all doing an excellent job in class. During these last months of school, it is important to continue to encourage your child to work up to their potential. We have a wonderful group of students who can do amazing things! Literacy: We are finishing our Unit of Inquiry on “Characters: The Life in Literature.” Students have been learning how to make generalizations about character types such as tricksters or adventurers. We will then move on to a focused study of nonfiction. “Discovery by Design” revolves around investigating a central idea or question using multiple sources. We will be conducting research using books, internet, magazines, encyclopedias, etc. Writer’s Workshop: We are finishing our study of poetry. The students have explored Haiku, free verse, acrostic, and 5 senses poems. Then we will begin our research projects that accompany our reading work. Later this month, we will be writing sea creature reports to go with our MARE unit, which begins later this month. Math: We will begin to work in unit 9 in the next few weeks. This reviews place-value patterns for counting by ones and tens on a number grid. We will continue the development of mentally adding and subtracting with multiples of 10. This will prepare the students for 2 digit calculations. We will also begin to compare fractions and study equivalent fractions. Social Studies: Our new social studies unit revolves around geography and maps. We will be learning how to use a map to locate our community, CA, USA, the continents and the oceans. We will also be constructing simple maps using a compass rose. Health: This month we will be completing our required health unit. Our lessons will explore: healthy eating habits, making healthy choices, dental care, and how our body works. Science: We will be exploring what plants need to survive during this life science unit. We will have a class terrarium and the students will be planting grass seeds to watch them grow and change over time. Mare: During the last week of May and the beginning of June, La Jolla Elementary will be involved in the MARE program. This is a school wide marine unit. Each grade level focuses on a different part of the ocean or body of water. First grade will study the rocky seashore (tide pools). One of our MARE activities is a field trip to Sea World on Tuesday, June 8th. More information will come later. Spring Sing: Spring is in the air and we are celebrating with songs and poetry. The first grade students will be performing a “Spring Sing” in the auditorium on Wednesday, May 26th at 12:00pm. Another quick reminder: please pack your child a healthy snack each day for them to eat during their afternoon recess. They get quite hungry during the day and need “the fuel” so they can concentrate better in class. Thanks! I am looking forward to another wonderful month in Room 3. Much love, Ms. Cole Important Dates: Friday, May 7th: Amigos Fiesta 3:30-6:30 (class dance at 5:30 in the 2nd grade area) Wednesday, May 26th: Spring Sing auditorium 12:00 Monday, May 31st: Memorial Day/No School Tuesday, June 8th: Sea World field trip
